Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument (20, 120, 220, 420, 620, 720) is provided for excising a segment of a heart valve leaflet, the electrosurgical instrument including a delivery shaft (26, 426) supporting a first jaw (24A, 124A, 224A, 424A, 624A) and a second jaw (24B, 124B, 224B, 424B, 624B), which together are configured to assume (i) an open position, in which the first and the second jaws are spaced apart to allow insertion of a portion of the leaflet therebetween, and (ii) a closed position, in which the first and the second jaws sandwich the inserted leaflet portion. The electrosurgical instrument (20, 120, 220, 420, 620, 720) also includes first and second electrically insulated wire portions (34A, 734A, 34B, 734B) and, longitudinally therebetween, an electrically exposed cutting portion (36, 736).

Abstract: A system for polyp detection through capsule dynamics, including a capsule configured to be swallowed by a patient, a recorder configured to be worn by the patient and to receive transmission of information from the capsule, wherein the system is configured to determine position or motion information of the capsule from the information received from the capsule, analyze the position or motion information and determine a probability score representing the likelihood of the existence of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract of the patient; and wherein the system notifies the patient of further actions to be performed in response to the determined probability score.

Abstract: A system for polyp detection through capsule dynamics, including a capsule configured to be swallowed by a patient, a recorder configured to be worn by the patient and to receive transmission of information from the capsule, wherein the system is configured to determine position or motion information of the capsule from the information received from the capsule, analyze the position or motion information and determine a probability score representing the likelihood of the existence of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract of the patient; and wherein the system notifies the patient of further actions to be performed in response to the determined probability score.

Abstract: A colon imaging system, including an imaging capsule, having: a. a radiation source providing X-Ray and gamma radiation with energies sufficient to induce X-Ray fluorescence from nanoparticles that adhere to cancerous tissue, and which were administered to a patient in a solution prior to examining the colon with the imaging capsule; b. a detector for detecting particle energy of particles emitted responsive to the provided radiation and forming count information disclosing a number of particles detected for each energy level; c. a transceiver for transferring the count information to an external computer for analysis, and also having a computer for constructing images of an inside of the colon based on the count information; wherein the images provide an indication of locations in the colon of which the nanoparticles adhere to.

Abstract: A colon imaging system, including an imaging capsule, having: a. a radiation source providing X-Ray and gamma radiation with energies sufficient to induce X-Ray fluorescence from nanoparticles that adhere to cancerous tissue, and which were administered to a patient in a solution prior to examining the colon with the imaging capsule; b. a detector for detecting particle energy of particles emitted responsive to the provided radiation and forming count information disclosing a number of particles detected for each energy level; c. a transceiver for transferring the count information to an external computer for analysis, and also having a computer for constructing images of an inside of the colon based on the count information; wherein the images provide an indication of locations in the colon of which the nanoparticles adhere to.

Abstract: Apparatus (4020) comprising a pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide (4030) for use with secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract at an anatomical entry location. Guide (4030) comprises first and second anchors (4252/4054) which apply pressure to the wall of the tract. A resilient connecting element (2037) is coupled to the anchors. A collection-facilitation tube (2080) is between the anchors and in contact with and around element (2037). Tube (2080) has an inner surface (2045) and an outer surface (2046), the inner surface defining a lumen for passage of food. The outer surface inhibits contact of the secretions with food and defines a space (7) between the outer surface and the tract. A diversion tube (2090) is in fluid communication with the space and passes secretions from the space distally. An intragastric anchor (4152) coupled to the guide maintains the guide in place. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract at an anatomical location. A secretion-diversion guide (370) comprises: a proximal portion (124); a distal portion (126); first and second anchors (36/38) coupled to the proximal and distal portions which apply pressure to the tract to maintain guide (370) in place; a collection-facilitation tube (280), between the anchors, having an inner surface (245) and an outer surface (246), the inner surface defining a lumen for passage of food. The outer surface inhibits contact of the secretions with food and defines a space (7) between the outer surface and the tract. A diversion tube (290) is in communication with the space and passes secretions from the space distally, and inhibits food-secretion contact. An intragastric anchor (170/171/172) coupled to guide (370), located in the stomach, maintains the guide in place. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating transferability of a non-dissolvable target in-vivo device through the GI tract are described. The in vivo system includes a dissolvable in-vivo device which has two operational phases; an initial phase in which the device is of initial dimensions and a final phase in which the device is of final dimensions. In the initial phase the device can pass freely through a normally configured body lumen whereas it may not be able to pass freely through an abnormally configured lumen. In the final phase the device can pass freely through a body lumen even if it is abnormally configured.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vivo sensing device having a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it essentially to float. In one embodiment the in vivo sensing device consists of an image sensor system and a buoyant body. The buoyant body, which is attached to the sensor system or which can optionally house one or more elements of the sensor system, keeps the sensor system essentially floating in a body lumen liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a tubular structure (2) in a body of a patient. The apparatus includes an adhesive including first and second components, a container (27), one or more patches (3), and an applicator (1). The container (27) contains the first component of the adhesive and not the second component of the adhesive. The one or more patches (3) include the second component of the adhesive and not the first component of the adhesive. The applicator (1) is configured to removably hold the one or more patches (3), and to place the one or more patches (3) at least partially around the tubular structure (2). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a device in vivo. The system and method may utilize a steerable receiver, typically an element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field, for controlling the movement of a device, including the direction, force and velocity of the device movement.

Abstract: An in vivo device, such as an in vivo imaging device or other sensing device, may include a device body and at least one appendage coupled to the device body. According to some embodiments the appendage(s) may be extended or expanded, or reduced or removed, in vivo, thereby altering the device geometry while in a body lumen.

Abstract: A moveable in vivo device comprises a device body and at least one moveable appendage that is moveably coupled the device body such that movement of the moveable appendage causes the device body to move in a body lumen.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating transferability of a non-dissolvable target in-vivo device through the GI tract are described. The in vivo system includes a dissolvable in-vivo device which has two operational phases; an initial phase in which the device is of initial dimensions and a final phase in which the device is of final dimensions. In the initial phase the device can pass freely through a normally configured body lumen whereas it may not be able to pass freely through an abnormally configured lumen. In the final phase the device can pass freely through a body lumen even if it is abnormally configured.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting in-vivo content, may include an in-vivo imaging device for capturing a stream of image frames in a GI tract, a content detector for detecting and/or identifying one or more image frames from the stream of image streams that may show content, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to display image frames detected.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting in-vivo content, may include an in-vivo imaging device for capturing a stream of image frames in a GI tract, a content detector for detecting and/or identifying one or more image frames from the stream of image streams that may show content, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to display image frames detected.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source. The apparatus includes an inflatable guide member (30), configured to be mounted in a vicinity of a small intestinal site, and to form a pressure seal upon inflation. An elongate carrier (24) is configured to be slidably advanced through the guide member into a small intestine (20) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is coupled to a distal portion of the carrier. The imaging capsule includes an imaging element (42) and a piston head (40). The piston head forms a pressure seal with a wall of the small intestine and is advanced distally through the small intestine in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source.

Abstract: A method for in vivo sensing of a body lumen such as a lumen in the upper GI tract is provided. The method may include, for example, inserting a sensing device into a subject's body lumen, positioning the subject in a horizontal or other suitable position, and receiving data transmitted from the sensing device.